Forever Home in the Eternal Family of God

Encouragement for the Family of God by Kenton Cheek

20 September 2025

Reading From II Corinthians 12

“Have you been thinking all along that we have been defending ourselves to you? It is in the sight of God that we have been speaking in Christ, and all for your upbuilding, beloved. For I fear that perhaps when I come I may find you not as I wish, and that you may find me not as you wish—that perhaps there may be quarreling, jealousy, anger, hostility, slander, gossip, conceit, and disorder. I fear that when I come again my God may humble me before you, and I may have to mourn over many of those who sinned earlier and have not repented of the impurity, sexual immorality, and sensuality that they have practiced.”

—II Corinthians 12:19-21

     It was in the heart and mind of Paul to do whatever he could to build up the local churches in our most holy faith and encourage them to lead holy lives that reflect the holy faith. The desire of the Christians should be to reflect the image of God.  To be holy means to be set apart for the Lord’s purposes.  From the examples of Jesus and Paul we learn that while we live in this tent of the body which is trapped in our present reality as we know it, we are to be in the world but not of the world.  Rather, we are to be conformed to the image of Christ. 

     We partner with the Holy Spirit in this process by surrendering to His will, learning the precepts and principles found in Scripture and then living those out in our daily lives.  Paul wants them to live this way because he loves them.  He doesn’t encourage holiness because it will squelch the fun of the Corinthians church members.  He has deeper insight into immorality and knows that it isn’t really fun at all, but is actually sin and therefore corrosive, gradually eating away at them from the inside out.  Paul wants a better life for them than what sin leads to.  He wants them to be strong, healthy, satisfied and fulfilled in Christ Jesus.  In Christ there is an abundant life that can be had nowhere else except in the Way.

     Because Paul loves the Corinthian church, their sins grieve him deeply.  He knows the treasures that can be theirs if they truly believe, repent, confess and then live out the Gospel.  This mourning over sin needs to be part of the experience of every son and daughter of God.  I need to realize how my sin grieves the heart of my Father, acknowledge it, repent, and move forward in forgiveness and faith.  That is the path to true freedom.

“Lord God, forgive me of my many sins.  I confess that I am a sinner in need of Your loving grace and mercy.  Thank You for dying on the cross for me even though I will never deserve Your sacrifice.  I am deeply grateful for Your forgiveness and for bringing me into Your eternal family.  I pray that I would live a life worthy of the calling that I have received.  Have mercy upon me when I fall short.  Show me what it means to live a holy life that honors You.  My desire is to please You.  Thank You for Your help, Lord.  In the Name of Jesus Christ I pray these things.  Amen.”

Godly sorrow brings repentance that leads to salvation and leaves no regret, but worldly sorrow brings death. See what this godly sorrow has produced in you: what earnestness, what eagerness to clear yourselves, what indignation, what alarm, what longing, what concern, what readiness to see justice done. At every point you have proved yourselves to be innocent in this matter.

—II Corinthians 7:10-11

Or do you show contempt for the riches of his kindness, forbearance and patience, not realizing that God’s kindness is intended to lead you to repentance?

—Romans 2:4